When Shiro, Elsine, Karslan, Leira, and the group that had gone to hunt the Mantis queen, started back to the settlement, they no longer had magic left for any dimensional rift. The atmosphere was festive, and the shouts of victory were repeated in the distance.
In the two kilometers they did on foot, they still faced a group of Mantises that were fleeing from the battle, but without a leader, without organization and without the will to fight after such a massacre, they were easy prey for the weapons of the Rankers.
They climbed the hill, entering the settlement through one of the walls that had collapsed. There were many injured players; others were lying on the ground, leaning against some stones, exhausted from the combat.
"Where's Lion?" Elsine searched with her eyes for Lion's black hair and imposing figure, expecting to see him celebrating along with the rest of the players; however, she was nowhere to be seen...
